When you buy roofs, you are expected to have a warranty on them. This can be common knowledge, but homeowners tend to look over many pitfalls and details when it comes to warranties. This post focuses on the importance of asphalt roofing and what you need to know about its warranty.
Asphalt roofs are very common in many houses because they are affordable. They are better when it comes to aesthetics, and they continue to improve over time. However, know that they won’t last forever. Fortunately, these asphalt shingle warranties will last for a few ears but beware of the contractors who are promising you a lifetime warranty and guarantee. The asphalt shingles are not necessarily the ones to blame, but sometimes, these will be poor installation or cheap materials.
How to Avoid Pitfalls and Red Flags in Warranties?
- Know the Exact Coverage
Roof warranties may mean various things to different homeowners. You may want to know what this necessarily means. There are two leading warranties for the roof, and these are the contractors’ and manufacturers’ warranties.
Shingles are usually limited to the defects and flaws in the manufacturing process. However, this does not cover the weaknesses of the entire installation process. The warranty will cover the material costs but not the disposal, removal, and labor of the workers.
Aside from this, a manufacturers’ warranty is commendable for roofing contractors who want to show their customers that they provide excellent work. They cover the quality of the workmanship as well as the installation.
When purchasing warranties, make sure that the shingle manufacturers and contractors provide the protection you need for installation and defect issues. Know more information about warranties on this site here.
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- Prorated can be Red Flags
Sometimes, you may encounter some offers about prorating warranties where the amount of coverage decreases over time. As this period goes on, the pro-rating will be down to zero, so if you’re going to have a 25-year old that is 50 years old, you’ll only get about 30% of the total replacement cost since it’s already halfway through the period.
- Don’t Trust the Lifetime Guarantee
Lifetime guarantees are one of the more famous marketing ploys out there. This means that the asphalt shingles can last from 30 to 50 years, and the common guarantees that you’re purchasing won’t necessarily cover the damages on the shingles that usually come with age. They can be difficult to transfer and typically apply to those homeowners where the warranty has been purchased.
- Contractors that Help with the Claims Process
If you’re going through a claims process, the more legitimate contractors out there will help you with what you need, and they will make everything easier. On the other hand, it can be tedious to do the claims process on your own. It’s helpful if you can find a manufacturer that can guide you on how to do everything.
If you are not the original buyer of the roof, like in the case of buying a home, you may not know about the information on the shingle manufacturer. You can read articles about shingles here: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/roofing/21019048/read-this-before-you-redo-your-roof. Ask the original owner in this case and see if they can help you with tracking the roofing company.
- Ensure that Contractors will State the Warranty Clearly
Warranties are sometimes offered as quick marketing, and they entail life protection. Sometimes, these agreements are only done verbally, and they are not explicitly written on paper. This is where the entire contract about the warranty becomes void and worthless. When you shop around for contractors, you should know about the installation price and the value of their warranties, and overall trustworthiness. This is just a little price to pay for something that will give you peace of mind for years.
Protection of your Coverage
- Regular Inspections are a Must: An inspection is done on your roof every one or two years to allow the contractors to fix minor and spot issues with caulking, shingles, flashing, and vents. You can stay ahead of the significant repairs and prevent major problems from happening in the future. You’ll also have to maintain the coverage of your warranty.
- Staying with the Original Installers: If possible, you should contact the first roofing company that has made the installation. Using a separate company will void everything, especially if this is included in the contract stipulations. The overall continuity will help the original installers correct minor mistakes, and it’s a good way that your warranty coverage is still in place.
- Registration: You should not forget to submit the warranty registration to the original manufacturer of the asphalt shingles. Without this registration, you may not get any coverage at all. The processes will be different from those homeowners who have gotten an enhanced warranty. Some of the initial requirements include hiring contractors who are skilled and experts for the job.
- Reading the Fine Print Can Help: Contractors should have complete certifications and licenses before issuing a warranty. Some of these authorizations are written in fine print, and if homeowners don’t read about them, there’s a chance that everything can be voided. It’s essential to understand the certification levels required in the agreement to increase more likelihood of retaining and protecting your coverage.
The roof of the house exists to protect your possessions and family from the weather and other outside elements. The warranty will protect you when it’s time to make a claim, and it will make your life easier overall.
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